Your Dining Room Floor Is Ruining The Feel Of Your Entire Space

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With the holidays upon us, you're probably making a list and checking it twice to make sure your dining room is looking just right for all of your festive gatherings. You've got your tableware sorted out, your centerpieces in place, and your lighting is creating the perfect ambiance. If something still feels like it's missing, though, and you can't quite put your finger on it — take a look at the floor of your dining room. If your floor is plain and bare, it might be making the overall space feel a little empty. Luckily, something as simple as laying a rug down can transform the entire room and make it feel complete. Plus, not only will it elevate the space, but it also keeps your floor safe from spills, scratches from chairs being pulled in and out, and any other damage that can be common in a high-traffic area.

According to Ksenya Malina, founder of Time & Place Interiors, a particular type of rug is especially well-suited for dining rooms. As she told the folks at The Spruce, "From a practical perspective, vintage Persians are one of the most resilient dining room rug options. Their tight weave makes them sturdy and resistant to wear." And while vintage Persian rugs are certainly a great choice, and a living room essential that you should always buy vintage, there are plenty of beautiful dining room rug options out there that can add color, warmth, and character to your space — helping the entire room feel more intentional, layered, and inviting.

There are a few things to consider when shopping for a dining room rug — one of the most important factors being material. According to handcrafted rug retailer Jaipur Living, wool and cotton are some of the best materials to pick from because both fabrics are naturally stain-resistant and are easy to clean. If your dining room gets a lot of foot traffic, however, wool might be the top choice since it's the most durable. Another important detail to keep in mind is the height of the pile. Low-pile or flatweave rugs are better in areas where food is handled because they're easier to clean and vacuum, unlike high-pile styles that can catch and hide crumbs and dirt quite easily. This Safavieh Kilim handmade flat weave wool area rug, for example, would be a great option for a dining room. 

Another option that has become increasingly popular over the years is washable rugs from stores like IKEA and Ruggable. Or, another alternative is this Amada Homefurnishing washable area rug, which comes in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and patterns. The great thing about these is if there happens to be any spills — which, let's face it, is inevitable in a dining room — they can be tossed directly in the washing machine and will come out looking like brand new. Once you've landed on a rug you like, don't forget to think about the dos and don'ts of styling rugs — including, most importantly, placement. Dining room rugs, for example, should typically sit directly under the table, which helps the whole arrangement feel cohesive and intentional.